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Urban Impressions of the Stations of the Cross

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Profiles in Mercy - Society of St. Vincent de Paul


 “The poor have much to teach you. You have much to learn from them.” St. Vincent de Paul

Since I was a little girl, the word “charity” is always associated with St. Vincent de Paul. Their trucks seemed to always be around when it was time to help others in need. They came to our home to pick up furniture donations, they set up trucks in our parish parking lot for clothing drives and opened storefronts to create a local physical presence.

With an U.S. army of 160,000 trained volunteers donating over 11.5 million hours, their seemingly omnipresence becomes clear. Perhaps what is more inspirational is the impact they have in providing over 14 million needy recipients with goods and services valued at over $1 billion.

Founded in the mid-1800s, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is now active in over 130 countries and all 50 United States. Working for the past 180 years, “Vincentians" work to provide personalized services to individuals and families in need.

They are the epitome of Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me…”, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is driven by a spirit of “poverty, humility and sharing.” They encourage prayer and reflection to seek a more permanent eradication of poverty and its never-ending cycle.

 A true servant of God, St. Vincent de Paul was born in France in the late 16th century into a poor family. Ordained as a priest in 1600, he was captured by Barbary pirates, sold into slavery and lived in bondage for two years until his escape.

Landing in Rome, he continued his studies, eventually returning to France in 1609 to begin a life focused on providing merciful charity to the needy. He founded the "Ladies of Charity" (French: Dames de la Charité), organizing wealthy Parisian women to raise money for charitable missions and services including ransom for slaves. Appointed chaplain to imprisoned galley slaves (think Les Miserables), he brought much-needed spiritual hope and corporal relief to these tormented souls.

Becoming a parish priest and funded by a wealthy patron, he founded the Congregation of the Mission, or the "Vincentians,” a community of priests with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability and devoted entirely to the people. Decades of zealous focus with both priests and lay persons, St. Vincent de Paul established charitable groups in each parish and launched the Daughters of Charity.

Living to be 80 years old, he was canonized in 1737 and declared by Pope Leo XIII to the patron saint of all charitable societies. A symbol of humility, he is known as a beacon of hope and mercy for all classes of people. His Feast Day is September 27.

Inspired by the charitable works of St. Vincent de Paul, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, a Sorbonne professor and his students founded the Society of St. Paul de Vincent in 1833, to assist the poor. Fast forward 180 years, this global charity is known for their personalized service delivered with dignity and relief from immediate suffering but also focus on creative, longer-term solutions. To quote their patron: "Charity is infinitely inventive."

You can become a part of this merciful work – donate your gently used and clean clothing this weekend, July 23 & 24, at our Holy Name Cathedral Clothing Drive, sponsored by the Human Concerns Commission. SVP trucks will be in our parking lot before and after all Masses.



Lori Doyle - Joined Holy Name Cathedral 6 1/2 years ago when I moved to Chicago. Currently the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council, I also served as Chair of the Human Concerns Commission. Actively involved in our parish, I also serve as an Extraordinary Minister and a Minister of Care at Prentice Hospital/Northwestern Hospital. Was honored in 2015 with the annual Archdiocese of Chicago Christifidelis award

Share your thoughts below or on social media, tagging Holy Name Cathedral and using #SeasonOfMercy.

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